Nathan Fitzpatrick is weeks away from homelessness and has been on the waitlist for four years

The threat of homelessness is a looming reality for Nathan Fitzpatrick, who just wants a place to call home for him and his mate, Brown Dog. HIS STORY >>

Nathan Fitzpatrick, a resident from the North West who has moved to Hobart and cannot find housing. Picture: Chris Kidd

A Tasmanian man says he desperately wants to secure a home for him and his dog, after waiting four years for somewhere to live.

Nathan Fitzpatrick, 46, has been on the housing waitlist for four years and he’s been living in Hobart for the last 12 months in emergency accommodation.

“In approximately two weeks, I won’t have a home to go to,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

“I don’t know where I’m going to go … I need to find a home for my dog.

“Unless someone is homeless, they can’t imagine what it is like to not have a bathroom, a kitchen, a place to put your belongings.”

Mr Fitzpatrick says he also has several medical issues.

“I have bipolar, chronic pain and other medical issues when I get stressed I become more unwell.”

Mr Fitzpatrick said more needed to be done to assist people like him.

“I’d like the government to address homelessness now, not in four years time,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

At March 2023, there were 4603 applicants on the public housing waitlist.

Labor’s housing spokesperson Ella Haddad said state government needed to take action to address the waitlist.

“This represents a deep worsening of the housing crisis since the Liberals first came to office 10 years ago, when there were 2771 people on the list for a home, waiting on average 21 weeks,” Ms Haddad said.

Labor’s housing spokesperson Ella Haddad MP. Picture: Chris Kidd

“The cruellest irony is that Nathan, a builder and carpenter by trade, has spent his life building houses for others, but now he is in a time of need, there is no support for him.”

Housing Minister Guy Barnett said the state government was working to build more homes to increase supply.

“There is high demand for social housing with limited vacancies and we would again encourage Mr Fitzpatrick to expand his selection of suburbs, to increase the likelihood of receiving an offer of a home sooner,” Mr Barnett said.

“I also encourage Mr Fitzpatrick to reach out to Housing Connect for further assistance with housing support.

“Increased supply is the answer, that’s why the government has also set an ambitious target to, through Homes Tasmania, deliver 1500 social and affordable homes by June 2023.’’

Originally published as Nathan Fitzpatrick is weeks away from homelessness and has been on the waitlist for four years